Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Wednesday, 07 April 2010

BBC News

• Action urged by MPs on mobility scooters Mobility scooter rules must be clarified and a fit-to-drive test considered, MPs have said, following accidents involving the vehicles.
• Ryanair raises bag check-in fees Passengers flying with Irish airline Ryanair face increased baggage rates during the two peak summer months.
• Tube line failure hits commutersThousands of commuters endure return-to-work misery as London Underground's entire Circle Line is shut down.
• German car exports up by a halfGerman car exports rose by a half to 419,400 in March, but domestic car sales fell by more than a quarter, figures show.

Financial Times

• Japanese rail chief hits at BeijingChairman of Central Japan Railway denounces China's growing high-speed rail industry for 'stealing' foreign technology and compromising safety
• Northgate chief steps down earlySteve Smith is to step down immediately, ending his tenure at the car and van rental group three months earlier than planned
• Slideshow: Southend Airport expansionWork has begun on expanding the airport to carry up to 2m passengers a year from Europe and North Africa in time for the London Olympics in 2012
• Stobart looks to the skies from SouthendLogistics group is searching for a partner to launch cheap passenger flights to Europe from Southend airport in Essex
• Ryanair to raise checked baggage chargeThe Dublin-based airline is increasing its checked luggage fees from £15 to £20 for the busiest summer months of July and August, in a move analysts estimated could raise up to £20m

The Guardian

• Toyota sees sales surge amid safety woes after slashing prices After the most testing year in the company's 73-year history, Toyota executives can perhaps afford to greet the new financial year with guarded optimism after last month's dramatic sales increases in the US and Japan.
• Lib Dems ducking the issue on railways Plans to reopen rail lines are small fry compared to current investments, and ignore the need to reform the system itself

The Independent

• Soaring petrol prices 'force car use cutbacks' Near-record petrol prices are forcing families to cut back on car use and other expenditure, a survey revealed today.

The Telegraph

• Election 2010: George Osborne says easyJet would be hit by 'jobs tax' on airport visit George Osborne held up easyJet as an example of a successful British company that would be hit by Labour's "jobs tax" as he visited its headquarters.
• Motorway service areas could lose power to fine motorists Motorway service areas could lose the right to fine motorists who spend too long in their car parks under new Government proposals.

Mail Online

• General Election 2010: Railmen threaten strike to bring country to a standstill on polling day

Birmingham Post

• High speed rail link unlikely to receive planning approval before 2013 A high speed rail line linking Birmingham and London will have to wait for at least another three years to be approved.
• Business leaders demand action to tidy up Birmingham International railway station Birmingham Airport and NEC bosses have called on the Government to demand action is taken to clean up Birmingham International railway station.

Liverpool Post

• Merging Liverpool's Mersey Docks and Manchester Ship Canal for first time will be a winner claims Peel Ports boss INTEGRATING Liverpool docks and the Manchester Ship Canal for the first time will create a phenomenal transport and economic asset, claims Mersey Ports boss Gary Hodgson.

London Evening Standard

• Rail union to plan fresh ballotsUnion leaders are due to meet to set out a timetable for a fresh ballot among thousands of rail workers in their row over jobs and working practices.

Manchester Evening News

• Controversial scanners rolled out across airport Full body scanners will be operating at every terminal in Manchester Airport within the next fortnight.

The York Press

• Heslington Lane bus route anger A COUNCILLOR has criticised the closure of a York road, saying it will inconvenience elderly bus passengers and pointing out that bus users were not properly informed.
• Speedy rail link pledge for York A VITAL rail link through York could be fast-tracked for investment under plans by the Liberal Democrats.
• York rail passengers™ fury over service ANGRY passengers were left on the platform at York Station as train services to London were overwhelmed with bank holiday travellers.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Ryanair raises luggage prices for summerPassengers flying with budget airline Ryanair will have to pay more for checked-in luggage in the peak summer period, it was announced today.

Blackpool Gazette

• Thieves steal £135,000 tram cablesSPECIAL security patrols are to guard over-head tram cables after thieves ripped down the high-value wires.

Carlisle News & Star

• We™ll reopen Cumbrian rail lines if elected “ Lib Dems Liberal Democrats have vowed to reopen two Cumbrian railway lines if the party comes to power.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Showroom tax is nudge in the right direction6 April: Last Thursday, buying a really polluting car got a bit more expensive, whilst the greenest cars became tax-free. It's a step in the right direction, but is it enough to change people's buying habits? read more
• General election - our analysis of where the parties stand on transport6 April: With today's announcement that the general election will be on 6 May, the parties have moved into full electioneering mode. You can read our analysis of what to expect in the manifestos for transport. read more

Other News Sources

• Ryanair raises baggage charge by a thirdPassengers checking in luggage on Ryanair flights will be charged £20 for every bag after the airline hiked charges in time for summer bookings
• Bus fare shake-up starts todayNEW bus fares and zones came into effect in Reading from this morning.
• Bus row campaigners vow to fight to deathHeritage campaigners have launched an appeal in a bid to spark a review into the decision not to register Preston Bus Station as a listed site.
• Historic line revamp 'will never happen'Rail campaigners have dismissed plans to re-open the Preston to Southport line as part of a £3bn overhaul of the nation's rail network as "wild pre-election talk".
• Eddie Stobart to close driver support services teamEddie Stobart says it is axing its flexible driver support services operation in order to
• Office Depot switches from vans to cycles in LondonStationery firm Office Depot has switched from vans to cycles for 75% of its deliveries within the City of London.
• Ryanair Urges Passengers to Travel Light During Peak Summer Months Ryanair today (6th Apr) announced that it will incentivise all of its passengers to travel light during the peak summer months by increasing checked-in baggage fees for July and August to €20...